Dubai Expo 2020: Shaping a more Resilient and Sustainable Future

After almost two years of unprecedented economic turbulence, lockdowns and uncertainty, the Dubai Expo 2020 is in full swing and HSBC Bank is proud to be playing a leading role. To put things into perspective, the six-month event is expected to attract up to 25 million visitors, which is twice the population of the UAE, and generate $33.4 billion USD in economic benefits, supporting more than 900,000 jobs until 2031. This will be felt across a wide range of sectors, including renewable energy, manufacturing, hospitality, machine learning, aviation and artificial intelligence.

With more than 190 countries involved, Expo 2020 is bringing together some of the brightest minds from around the world to discuss our shared challenges and seek common solutions that will help shape a more innovative and sustainable future.

Expo 2020 is more than just a conference; it offers massive potential for international companies seeking to capitalize on multi-billion-dollar opportunities in a region that is experiencing strong growth.

For Canadian businesses considering expanding into the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Dubai is the ideal gateway to access this market of 3.5 billion people. With HSBC Bank’s long-established presence in the region, along with our recently launched $5.5 billion USD growth initiative to support the UAE’s strategy by financing businesses seeking to invest in sustainable and innovative solutions, now is the time to act.

This is especially true for companies working in the renewable energy sectors, notably solar, wind, hydrogen, nuclear fusion and others that will play an integral role in meeting global energy needs in a sustainable manner. Canada is using its pavilion at Expo 2020 to showcase companies in other key sectors like healthcare, cleantech and information and communications technologies.

For small and medium-sized enterprises looking to enter the UAE, they have a lot to gain in a country where 94% of the companies are SMEs that contribute to an economy estimated at $410 billion USD. Recognizing this, HSBC Bank has relaunched its Business Banking proposition here that will provide a wealth of services to thousands of companies across a broad range of sectors.

Expo 2020 focuses on three themed districts – Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity — under the overarching banner “Connecting Minds and Creating the Future.” As we all know, the pandemic and climate change have demonstrated the fragility of global supply chains and the need for innovative solutions for international businesses that foster collaboration and growth. Because of this, companies providing cleantech innovation, renewable energy and sustainable business practices will be well positioned to leverage their expertise throughout the event and long after it’s over as we build a more resilient global economy designed to withstand such economic strain not felt since the 1930s.

HSBC Bank has been operating in the Middle East for more than 125 years, and this underpins our support for the first Expo event ever hosted in the Arab world in its 168-year history. With an unmatched global footprint that enables us to serve our clients wherever they do business, we share Expo 2020’s spirit of internationalism and we’re thrilled to be working alongside like-minded partners in creating a more sustainable, diversified and resilient global economy.

If your company is seeking expansion to the UAE and the wider region, HSBC Bank Canada is uniquely positioned to help you do just that. With international investments being made in emerging technologies that are redefining the country’s economy and ecosystem, there has never been a more opportune time to gain a foothold in the UAE, which is committed to progressive sustainable business practices and social initiatives guided by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information on how HSBC Bank Canada can help, contact us at or get in touch with your relationship manager.